Rules and Regulations

Most of DEQ’s functions are set by Title 27A of the Oklahoma Statutes. Licensing requirements for water and wastewater system operators, as well as individual septic system installers, are found in Title 59. Administrative procedures for enforcement and rulemaking are found in Title 75. The text of all Oklahoma statutes can be found on the Oklahoma State Courts Network website.

Before being adopted, DEQ rules undergo an extensive public review process as set by statute and the Office of Administrative Rules within the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office. Proposed rules are published twice per month in the Oklahoma Register. This office also maintains the official version of all final rules, known as the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC). Both the Oklahoma Register and the OAC are available online.

As a convenience, DEQ makes its rules and fee schedules available online; however, please be aware that the rules and fee schedules downloaded from here are unofficial. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, there may be mistakes. If there are any discrepancies between the rules and fee schedules downloaded from here and those outlined by statute or in the official OAC at the Office of Administrative Rules, the statutes or official rules will prevail.

A summary of rule changes passed by the Environmental Quality Board during state fiscal year 2023 can be found here.